Red blood cells are a key life force of the body, playing an essential role in carrying oxygen from the lungs to the cells. That's why when someone's red blood count drops, he really feels it -- and shows it. He may be pale, tired, weak, and have trouble catching his breath. Here's what you need to know to understand what's happening and what to do.

Why does cancer cause red blood cell (RBC) counts to drop?

In most cases, it's not the cancer itself but cancer treatment that leads to a shortage of red blood cells, also called anemia. Chemotherapy often damages the bone marrow that produces red and white blood cells and platelets, a condition called bone marrow suppression, or myelosuppression. As red blood cells die out, which they do naturally every 120 days or so, the body isn't able to replace them, and the red blood count drops.

Radiation therapy can also damage red blood cell production, particularly if the radiation targets areas such as the pelvis, where bones have more marrow and higher blood cell-generation activity.

Blood loss, either from surgery or from particular cancers, can also cause or exacerbate anemia. Colorectal cancers, for example, often cause blood loss as blood leaks from the intestines. Cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow, particularly lymphoma and leukemia, can also damage the production of red blood cells.

Tests and Prevention for Low Red Blood Cell Count

Why is there more than one test for red blood cell counts?

There are several ways that doctors commonly measure red blood counts:

Red blood cell count
. This test counts the number of red blood cells in a single drop (a microliter) of blood. As a general guideline, consider the normal range to be 4.5 to 6.2 million for men; 4.2 to 5.4 million for women.

Hemoglobin
. This test measures the red-pigmented protein that carries oxygen. Normal range for red blood count is 14 to 18 grams per deciliter in men; 12 to 16 grams per deciliter in women. When someone's hemoglobin drops below 10 grams per deciliter, he's considered anemic.

Hematocrit
. This test measures the percentage of total blood volume made up of red blood cells. Normal range is 40 to 52 percent for men; 35 to 47 percent for women.

A complete red blood count usually includes additional measures of the size, capacity, and number of red blood cells. The doctor will usually order a battery of tests to get a complete picture of the health of a patient's red blood cells. For example, a low hematocrit in combination with low hemoglobin may indicate iron deficiency, while a high hematocrit can indicate dehydration.

Can I help prevent someone's red blood count from dropping?

There are medications called cell growth factors (also called colony stimulating factors) that can be given along with chemo or radiation to prevent
red blood counts
from dropping. The growth factor that boosts production of red blood cells is epoetin or darbepoetin (brand names Procrit, Epogen, Aranesp). Growth factors can take between two and eight weeks to work, so they're not a solution for dramatic red blood cell loss. There's also a risk of side effects, so a patient's doctor will decide whether to prescribe cell growth factors based on her assessment of the patient's risk of developing a low red blood count.

Get as much information as you can from the doctor about the chemo regimen of the person you're caring for and the effect you can expect it to have on his red blood count. "Some drugs reduce the red blood cell count by 25 percent immediately; some drugs take a week before the count start to drop. Every drug and regimen is different," says Terry Anders, an oncology nurse at the Zangmeister Cancer Center in Columbus, Ohio. Because side effects include fluid retention and heart palpitations -- both of which can worsen heart conditions -- the doctor will take into account whether the patient has heart problems when deciding whether to prescribe Procrit or other growth factors. Other side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and upper respiratory infection. In addition, Procrit can cause shortness of breath and edema, so if the person you're caring for already has these problems, the doctor may be conservative about prescribing it.

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Low Red Blood Cell Count Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery

What are the symptoms of low red blood count?

The typical signs of anemia are extreme fatigue and shortness of breath, but a low red blood count can cause a host of different symptoms. A patient's skin may be pale or clammy, or he may have a rapid heart rate, chest pain, or difficulty staying warm. Because low oxygen in the blood can affect the brain as well, he may feel dizzy and light-headed or have difficulty concentrating or remembering things. He may also have headaches.

How low does someone's red blood count need to go before the doctor recommends treatment?

This is a very individual decision, and the doctor will make it based more on symptoms (such as fatigue or shortness of breath) than on a particular number. It's likely the doctor will take a wait-and-watch attitude for as long as possible before recommending medication or a transfusion, because he's hoping the red blood count will rise on its own. Also, keep in mind that red blood count won't drop dramatically right after chemo; it usually takes one to two weeks for the
blood count
to reach what doctors call the nadir, the point at which it drops to its lowest point. Cutoff rates vary according to different labs, but if a patient's hemoglobin drops below eight, most doctors will recommend either growth factors or a transfusion.

How long does it take for the red blood count to rise again?

Red blood cells have a long life -- up to 120 days -- so rebuilding someone's red blood count is a long, slow process. The speed with which bone marrow makes new red blood cells is also affected by factors such as the type of cancer, type of treatment -- particularly the type and dosage of chemo -- and the patient's general state of health.

One thing to keep in mind is that red blood counts won't drop immediately after chemo but will start dropping after a week or two, and will then continue to fall for several more weeks. This is because chemo doesn't kill off the red blood cells already in the bloodstream, which are mature and aren't dividing rapidly. It kills off the cells forming in the marrow, and therefore there's a delayed response that corresponds with the rate at which the marrow is creating new cells. The rate of regeneration can be affected by the patient's age and overall health. Also, some types of cancer and some types of treatment (such as radiation and some medications) suppress the production of red blood cells, so the rebuilding process can be much slower.

A little over 5 m0nths ago my primary care doctor at the Veteran's Administration advised me that my annual physical checkup indicated my red blood cell count was below normal. The only follow up she advised was to see my urologist. He said that my PSA was within the normal range for my age group (I turned 79 this month) & he saw nothing in the records from the VA that I should be concerned about.
I am still concerned about the low red blood cell count & would like a 2nd opinion. Do you advise I seek out a 2nd opinion, & if so, what type of doctor should I contact, or should I just want until my next annual checkup with the VA next March.

7 months ago,
norma222
said...

my name is norma I am female 67 years old my only medication if Xalatan for my eyes. my blood count has fallen to 8 all my other indicators like b12 folic acid etc are quite normal my doctors do not understand I have usual anemic symptoms like pale pallor, tiredness etc has anyone any useful comments? Norma

almost 2 years ago,
Kla57
said...

Can low red blood cells cause your psa to go higher?

over 2 years ago,
Rickkronos
said...

I'm 6 months out from a stem cell transplant (ALL Phil +), my red blood cell count is 2.68MIL/uL on a very slight downward trend. Health is good, weight is good but I'm 59. What's taking so long in getting the red blood cells back into normal range?

over 2 years ago,
a fellow commenter
said...

just had a blood test done, this past Tues and results came back with abnormal low red blood cells, I have had this before until now the doctor did not say anything. I am wondering am I in a danger with this?

almost 3 years ago,
a fellow commenter
said...

What should both your red and white blood cells be at before your put in the hospital?

about 3 years ago,
kemmer1956
said...

red blood count has been 88 the last 6 week, white goes real low,than goes to normal. than gets high my ins. does not kick in until the 8 of nov' should i see a doctor. i sleep 15-20 hours a day. my husband wakes me up. i take the rest of my meds and i go right to sleep,is this some kind of normal? oh yeah thank you very much, i cant afford a doctor right
now'sometingi simple would make be happy, an not so blue.;
insulin shots, but have been doing that for 18 years, lol good or bad i need to know/

over 3 years ago,
mickuk21
said...

my mum had been told there is hight boold around the breast she has bone cancer

almost 4 years ago,
a fellow commenter
said...

My hemoglobin & RBC count is low. For this to gain it what type of care shall i take as a pregnant women.

over 4 years ago,
meme2four
said...

i have been diagnosed with Cll 2 1/2 yrs ago. In June my count was 162,000, now it has dropped to 80,000. I am just wondering, typically how low does it go before treatment begins and just watch and see stops.

over 4 years ago,
maahi sharma
said...

plz. tell me about wt i am askin, it's 14 days of my period. but it is not going to stop. i am so tense abt it. plz. suggest me what shoul i do?

over 4 years ago,
ChinJOO
said...

my Total RBC is 4.51 x10 9/L ( 4.70 - 6.10 ) for already 2-3 years, and i have not seen a doctor yet on this.
Need your advice on his.

over 4 years ago,
tramp76
said...

I do not have cancer i have iron overload and low red cell count due to phletbotomy; i want to know how to build up my red cells.

almost 5 years ago,
linda68
said...

hi i have been having tons of blood tests lately they haven't givin me a diagnosis yet but from what i can tell and have looked up on these blood results its showing my RBC is low 3.64 where the norm. says 4.20-5.40 i'm very worried all my levels R a little off but RBC is really low also my HCT,% of iron saturation,Reticulocyte,sodium,potassium,anion gap,auto neutrophil,HGB,HCT,AND i also have a few high's my(MCH,auto lymphocyte,ALT,AST,iron binding capacity ,Folate RBC is 1062 norm. range 280-903 i'm trying not to freak out to bad but can u help me understand these test results plz.....thanx Linda

almost 5 years ago,
Mary Knight
said...

My red blood cell count is a little low 4.17 what does this mean?

about 5 years ago,
town2send
said...

knowing what to exspect my count to be if I have cancer. I may have colon cancer.

over 5 years ago,
mkjval
said...

This article was very helpful to me to understand what my daughter is going thru with chem.

over 5 years ago,
Emily M.
said...

Hi rosimomm, Thank you for your question. We have a wonderful Ask & Answer section where you can post your question. You can post your question, here: ( http://www.caring.com/ask ). I hope that helps. Take care -- Emily | Community Manager

over 5 years ago,
rosimomm
said...

my red blood cells were at 25. What does that mean.

over 5 years ago,
Emily M.
said...

Hi James C.M., Thank you for your comment. If you would like, you can post your question in our Ask & Answer section, here: ( http://www.caring.com/ask ). Take care -- Emily | Community Manager

over 5 years ago,
James C.M.
said...

To Marilyn Hind I did only one hitch in the Air Force many years ago, but what little experience I had with doctors then suggests that your daughter will get exelent care in the military

over 5 years ago,
James C.M.
said...

Very informative. I would like to know about cancer due to radiation treatment for prostate cancer. That is, does cancer occur in the pelvis as a consequence of the radiation treatment for the prostate cancer?

over 5 years ago,
Grace112457
said...

i lost over 40 punds in 9 months. I have no appetite for food because I have been under a lot of stress. I had an anxiety attack and I am afraid. I will be seeing a hemotologist

over 5 years ago,
Emily M.
said...

Hi brenda, Thank you very much for your question. Unfortunately, we are unable to diagnose medical problems for our site members. We suggest that you contact your father's doctor right away regarding his medical issue. We hope our informational site will be of help for you in the future. Take care -- Emily | Community Manager

over 5 years ago,
brenda shortridge
said...

help my father takes procrit for low red cell count he dont not have cancer.
is there another drug that can be taken. procrit is not helping he been taking it for months.

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